> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.e6data.com/query-engine/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.e6data.com/query-engine/developers/readme-2.md).

# Overview

Connect to e6data programmatically or query it - JDBC, REST API, PostgreSQL protocol, Python, PySpark - and automate it with the Management API.

This section covers connecting to e6data from code and external tools, and automating e6data resources.

## Query vs. automate

| You want to…                                                                 | Go to                                                                            |
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Run SQL from an app, BI tool, or notebook                                    | [Connecting to the engine](/query-engine/developers/connecting-to-the-engine.md) |
| Connect a specific BI tool (Tableau, DBeaver, Superset, Metabase, notebooks) | [BI tool recipes](/query-engine/developers/bi-tool-recipes/tableau.md)           |
| Run existing PySpark workloads against e6data                                | [PySpark compatibility](/query-engine/developers/pyspark-compatibility.md)       |
| Manage clusters, catalogs, schedules, and policies from code                 | [Management API](/query-engine/developers/management-api.md)                     |

## Connecting to the engine

One endpoint speaks three protocols - pick whichever is easiest for your client:

| Protocol                                                                                          | Use case                                              |
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------- |
| [JDBC](/query-engine/developers/connecting-to-the-engine/jdbc.md)                                 | Java applications, BI tools, drivers that prefer gRPC |
| [PostgreSQL protocol](/query-engine/developers/connecting-to-the-engine/postgresql-protocol.md)   | BI tools that speak Postgres natively                 |
| [REST API for SQL queries](/query-engine/developers/connecting-to-the-engine/rest-api-for-sql.md) | Any HTTP client, integrations, lightweight scripts    |
| [Python connector](/query-engine/developers/connecting-to-the-engine/python-connector.md)         | Python apps, notebooks, ETL scripts                   |

## Authenticating

All programmatic access uses [personal access tokens](/query-engine/guides/security/access-tokens/pat-and-service-account-keys.md) (for individuals) or [service account keys](/query-engine/guides/security/access-tokens/pat-and-service-account-keys.md) (for automation). No long-lived passwords. See [Access tokens](/query-engine/guides/security/access-tokens.md).

## See also

* [Connecting to the engine](/query-engine/developers/connecting-to-the-engine.md) - protocols and connection strings.
* [Management API](/query-engine/developers/management-api.md) - automate clusters, catalogs, and policies.
* [Access tokens](/query-engine/guides/security/access-tokens.md) - credentials for programmatic access.


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